I'll be staying in El Portal next month, but it doesn't look like I have too many breakfast / dinner options there (the restaurants at the two inns and the grocery store). What's decent and not expensive in Mariposa? (aside from Burger King)

Also, since food looks pretty expensive and of pretty low quality in El Portal (from what I have read online), am I better off just eating in the park? How do the places in the park compare both price-wise and quality-wise to the two restaurants in El Portal?

I have no experience whatsoever when it comes to food in and around the park, since I have only camped and brought my own food in when I have been to Yosemite in the past. However, this trip is with family and they aren't into the tents and hiker meals.

My favorite is Salvador's Mexican Restaurant in downtown Mariposa. There's several restaurants on the main street (Highway 140) that are good if you don't like Mexican food. Just park downtown and walk around and look at the menus.

I like the Pizza in Curry Village. I also like the Pasta Bar in the Yosemite Lodge Food Court (cafeteria). The Mountain Room Restaurant is overpriced. The Ahwahnee Bar has good food, and it's not expensive as the Ahwahnee Restaurant (but not cheap either). The Curry cafeteria is no good (it's all you can eat, so lower quality than the Yosemite Lodge Food Court). Curry Cafeteria is good for kids though--cheap and bland.

Last edited by dan on Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

So I have been living in this area for a while, and there are not a lot of great eating options in the park or around it, but that is not the reason you come to Yosemite.

If you have the money I would say go to the Ahwahnee. The food is awesome, but the prices are just as out of this world as the bill.

If you are on the east side and a little light on cash but still want some good food, during the summer there is really good food at the mobile, and the Tioga Pass Resort.

If you are on your way out of the park, Savoure is a wonderfully priced little restuarant in Mariposa. The prices are very reasonable and food quality and portions are nothing slight of perfection!

If you are looking for a great Mountain Dinner experience there is also happy burger in Mariposa, it is a little pricy for what you get but I really enjoy the food and the atomosphere is pretty cool.
As far as restuarants in El Portal, good luck, you would be better eating in the valley.

dan wrote:The Curry cafeteria is no good (it's all you can eat, so lower quality than the Yosemite Lodge Food Court). Curry Cafeteria is good for kids though--cheap and bland.

Pehaps my experience with Army food in the early 80's set the bar so low that I personally didn't find Curry Cafeteria that bad. It certainly wasn't the best I've ever had, but not the worst either - JMHO.

dan wrote:The Curry cafeteria is no good (it's all you can eat, so lower quality than the Yosemite Lodge Food Court). Curry Cafeteria is good for kids though--cheap and bland.

Pehaps my experience with Army food in the early 80's set the bar so low that I personally didn't find Curry Cafeteria that bad. It certainly wasn't the best I've ever had, but not the worst either - JMHO.